What defines a major disqualification in a cavy?

A major disqualification in a cavy refers to faults that severely impact the animal's appearance or overall conformation to breed standards. This means that if specific characteristics of the cavy do not align with the established standards set by breed associations, the animal may be deemed unfit for competition. Such disqualifications often pertain to significant structural defects, inappropriate coloration, or poor coat quality that render the animal unsuitable or less desirable within the show context.

While other options may refer to important aspects of showmanship and competition, they do not pertain to what constitutes a major disqualification. For instance, a failure to follow show rules is indeed important in the context of competition but does not directly relate to the animal's traits or condition. A minor health issue would not result in disqualification unless it were significant enough to impact the cavy's overall health and appearance. Additionally, common show practices are procedural and do not affect an individual animal's eligibility based on its disqualifying traits. Thus, identifying a major disqualification focuses specifically on substantial faults that detract from the cavy’s adherence to breed standards.